Native Mineral Resources (ASX:NMR) posted its strongest monthly gold production since recommissioning Blackjack, with 763.8 ounces of fine gold in June 2026 and a shift to weekly smelting to support growing volumes.
- Record 763.8oz fine gold produced in June 2026
- Gold recovery hits 610.3oz with 96.3% plant efficiency
- Weekly smelting program commenced at Blackjack
- Mining advancing on three fronts feeding higher-grade ore
- July smelts expected to be larger as feedstock increases
Record Monthly Gold Production Surpasses 760 Ounces
Native Mineral Resources Holdings Limited (ASX:NMR) has delivered a milestone at its Blackjack Gold Operations near Charters Towers, Queensland, reporting a record 763.8 ounces of fine gold refinery production for June 2026. This marks the highest monthly output since the Blackjack Processing Plant was recommissioned in July 2025, underscoring steady operational progress.
The company’s latest gold smelt, completed on 6 July, produced three doré bars weighing a combined 206 ounces, signaling a continuation of the production momentum. NMR has now transitioned to a weekly smelting schedule, aiming to provide more regular updates and better match the increasing throughput from its mining operations.
Operational Improvements Drive Higher Recovery and Grade
June’s metallurgical performance was particularly notable, with reconciled gold recovery soaring to 610.3 ounces, a 42.1% increase over May, while plant recovery efficiency reached a record 96.3%. The reconciled head grade also rose sharply to 0.93 grams per tonne, the highest since the plant restart, despite slightly lower throughput compared to May.
These gains reflect successful optimisation efforts at the processing plant and a strategic shift to higher-grade feed sourced from three active mining fronts. Crusher availability improved to 93.8%, the best since recommissioning, although ball mill availability dipped to 91.3%. The milling circuit maintained a throughput rate of 39.7 tonnes per hour, up 5.3% from the previous month.
Mining Advances Across Multiple Fronts Supporting Growth
Mining activity continues to progress on schedule at Blackjack South Pit, Blackjack Mid Pit, and the Podosky Deposit. Blackjack South Pit mining commenced in early July with over 20,000 tonnes extracted so far, approximately 30% of which is expected to be mill feed. Meanwhile, progress at Blackjack Mid Pit is on track with a production blast scheduled for 7 July, targeting higher-grade mineralised material.
Similarly, mining at Podosky is advancing steadily, with a production blast planned for 9 July to expose the next phase of ore. These developments underpin the anticipated increase in processing volumes and support the forecast that July’s remaining two gold smelts will be materially larger than the early July pour.
Outlook Hinges on Continued Operational Execution
While the company’s operational improvements and mining progress have clearly contributed to record production, the outlook remains subject to mining performance, plant availability, and refinery scheduling. The transition to weekly smelting is a strategic move to better align with increasing ore volumes and to provide shareholders with more frequent production insights.
Native Mineral Resources’ Managing Director Blake Cannavo highlighted that the company is now moving into higher-grade material across multiple fronts, which should sustain production growth. The company’s ability to maintain these operational gains will be critical to validating the recent positive trajectory and supporting investor confidence.
Bottom Line?
NMR’s record June output and weekly smelting signal operational momentum, but sustaining growth depends on consistent mining and processing performance.
Questions in the middle?
- Can NMR maintain or improve plant availability amid increased throughput?
- How will the transition to higher-grade ore impact overall production costs?
- What timing and scale can investors expect from upcoming July gold smelts?